I liked today that a friend posted what she called "blithering" - that is prob where I am at today too....so bear with me that this is probably more of a "get things out of my brain" and "personal journal" post. Feel free to read along.
Do you ever just squeal with delight when things really do go according to plan? Last night we had one of those - kids were helpful and productive, everyone was home for dinner-at the table, everyone was polite at dinner, we got house jobs done (mostly), we actually held FHE with everyone present (my boys tend to go into meltdown mode and end up in their room), we had family prayer with everyone present, I found time for studying my scriptures (ok, so what if it was in the middle of the night), I was able to kneel quietly for personal prayer, without interrruption. Yesterday we accomplished everything that we have been counciled to do! We have really struggled at times with some or all of these things. Yesterday was a great day for moving forward in the kingdom and actually feeling like positive learning time was given to my children. Wahoo!
OK - thought change....
It seems I am destined to never sleep, and to have my own personal "quiet" time in the middle of the night. I woke up again last night and was up for hours.
I decided to use my time the last couple of nights to at least do something constructive, well sort of, I used my time to start on my voting ballot. This election has been a very difficult one for me. As I have watched and listened to and read about candidates and what they believe in or not, I feel like I am in the middle of the BoM when the people were choosing wicked leaders...
This last weekend we had the awesome opportunity to have stake/regional conference. Our stake pres (J do you remember D peterson? he is stake pres now - he mentioned Z in his talk!)
is such a sweet, wonderful man! We are so blessed to have him. During his collection of "mini talks" on saturday he stopped at one point to address us on the subject of voting. He expressed to us how impressed he had felt in needing to counel us in this challenging time. His counsel was emotional and straightforward.
I have heeded that counsel as I have been up the last several nights by re-reading D&C 134 - I have prayed, marked and re-read, prayed, marked and re-read. I even found there were words that the prophet joseph had used that I had to look up in the dictionary! (another great testimony that joseph was directed by the Lord - Joseph was so "unlearned" in the world's eyes and yet he has written for his time as well as our own in great language and words!)
I have been trying to work hard to follow the counsel I was given. I was surprised to find last night that I could find light where I thought there was only dark and I could compare the prophet's direction and counsel to those who would lead us today. I was able to receive inspiration, as odd as it seemed at the time. to make the best decisions to be an active part of my family's, my community's, and hopefully my nation's future.
I still have a long way to go though. It seems that all the literature I have received directly condradict each other, making it even harder to try and make some sense of everything. I will keep working at it though.
On a fun note - I discovered last night that Ka is getting her first tooth! I can see it and feel it and she is trying to "chew" on everything. It is fun and sad at the same time - prob knowing that this is the last "first tooth" we will have. She is getting so big and changing every day. She has even surprised us by crying "mum, mum" and holding her arms up to me to pick her up from wherever she is. She totally blew K away a couple of weeks ago when she heard "mum mum" - and turned around and said "mom, did I hear what I think I heard?" - yep - Ka hears everyone else say it 24-7, why shouldnt she learn to say it early! Those little baby moments are flying by - it is sad sometimes to know she is our last, but at the same time I love all the stages the kids go through. If we could only have both at the same time....
Well, guess that is all for now. I need to go see if I can get the little boys doing something constructive - instead of destructive - they have blown through the house and outside making more messes than I can keep up with this afternoon. Not sure where all their extra energy has come from, they usually do lots better than this. I have hardly been at the computer or house jobs at all today for them to be feeling neglected or feeling they need to get my attention. Just going to be one of those afternoons/evenings - yesterday was too good to last long, I suppose.
Thank goodness for early bedtimes - for all of us.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
APPLES ANYONE?
KM had planned for an apple bobbing game for the kids. They all had a blast and it was pretty hysterical watching the kids try to get those apples. K didnt have time for all the wet nonsense and just helped himself to a big juicy apple!
The big kids esp enjoyed themselves and giving each other a hard time and teasing. C has no problem keeping up with the boys' teasing - and thoroughly enjoyed dunking B when it was his turn - the kids and adults were busting with laughter at B's reaction - esp C!
After all the kids were done retrieving their apples they got to decorate them. We had set up an "ice cream" bar with melted caramel, ice cream syrups in 3 flavors and had more mini candy than I have ever seen in my life! My girls were a bit disappointed they couldnt have real caramel apples because of orthodontics but had fun with all the candies.
On a side note: C got her braces off a few days after we got back from SLC, and is enjoying eating whole apples to the extreme - apples are usually in abundance at our house - and there isnt one apple in the house! She is also enjoying eating caramel, nuts and popcorn - some of her favorite treats - and cant wait to get to actually eat all of her own Halloween candy this year!
The big kids esp enjoyed themselves and giving each other a hard time and teasing. C has no problem keeping up with the boys' teasing - and thoroughly enjoyed dunking B when it was his turn - the kids and adults were busting with laughter at B's reaction - esp C!
After all the kids were done retrieving their apples they got to decorate them. We had set up an "ice cream" bar with melted caramel, ice cream syrups in 3 flavors and had more mini candy than I have ever seen in my life! My girls were a bit disappointed they couldnt have real caramel apples because of orthodontics but had fun with all the candies.
On a side note: C got her braces off a few days after we got back from SLC, and is enjoying eating whole apples to the extreme - apples are usually in abundance at our house - and there isnt one apple in the house! She is also enjoying eating caramel, nuts and popcorn - some of her favorite treats - and cant wait to get to actually eat all of her own Halloween candy this year!
HALLOWEEN FUN IN SLC
With Halloween almost upon us I thought I would take time to post our picts from our trip to SLC. Our friends hosted a huge dinner Halloween party, complete with costumes. K had really gone all out with the party supplies and decorations!
This 1st pict is of our 4 families (adults have mostly known each other since we were little or from HS)- we used to all fit on one couch - now we span the whole front of a house!!!
I was sure to get K's picts BEFORE the party - and I was so glad that I did - by the end of the evening she lived up to the nam the kids gave her "costume" - the puke monster! Her black shirt was streaked and soaked with guk by the time we went home!
The kids had a blast together - it always amazes me that when we get together, no matter how long it has been since we have seen each other, they click like they have never been apart. All the adults had lots of fun just catching up. We got an extra treat too when we were joined by a HS classmate and her husband - we hadnt seen M for 18 years! It was great fun laughing and learning more about each other!
This 1st pict is of our 4 families (adults have mostly known each other since we were little or from HS)- we used to all fit on one couch - now we span the whole front of a house!!!
I was sure to get K's picts BEFORE the party - and I was so glad that I did - by the end of the evening she lived up to the nam the kids gave her "costume" - the puke monster! Her black shirt was streaked and soaked with guk by the time we went home!
The kids had a blast together - it always amazes me that when we get together, no matter how long it has been since we have seen each other, they click like they have never been apart. All the adults had lots of fun just catching up. We got an extra treat too when we were joined by a HS classmate and her husband - we hadnt seen M for 18 years! It was great fun laughing and learning more about each other!
MORE FALL FUN
K really enjoyed his time tromping around with the bigger kids on the fieldtrip. He esp liked the pumpkin patch and chose this tiny little pumpkin. He toted it around in his bag all morning!
I esp had to post the last pict - as he was not originally intended to be in it...I was down on the ground getting a flat shot of the pumpkins when he walked in front of me and plopped himself down right in front of the camera! I was laughing so hard it was hard to get the shot. After I took his pict he was up and off running around just as fast as he had plopped down. He did let me take a few more picts of him before we left too. It was a very fun day!
I esp had to post the last pict - as he was not originally intended to be in it...I was down on the ground getting a flat shot of the pumpkins when he walked in front of me and plopped himself down right in front of the camera! I was laughing so hard it was hard to get the shot. After I took his pict he was up and off running around just as fast as he had plopped down. He did let me take a few more picts of him before we left too. It was a very fun day!
FALL FUN
Last week I got to go with C on his class fieldtrip to a local farm for their annual kinder pumpkin patch fieldtrip. The kids had a blast and there were so many things for them to do! C and C were there own group - more than enough for C's mom to handle. We had fun following the boys as they explored the barn and activites inside (hay slide, wheat "sandbox"), I walked with the stroller as the kids got a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, and B helped the boys cut their very own strawberries to take home. The boys esp liked sitting on the HUGE stacks of hay to eat their lunch and the loved pushing K on a trike around a hay "racetrack".
It was fun to be an "unofficial" chaperone which allowed me to just wander with C and take picts. It was a really fun morning for everyone. It apparently was also exhausting playing so hard - we came home and all 3 kiddos totally zonked out for the afternoon - C NEVER takes naps anymore! It was kind of funny, but nice to have a quiet afternoon after all of our morning fun.
It was fun to be an "unofficial" chaperone which allowed me to just wander with C and take picts. It was a really fun morning for everyone. It apparently was also exhausting playing so hard - we came home and all 3 kiddos totally zonked out for the afternoon - C NEVER takes naps anymore! It was kind of funny, but nice to have a quiet afternoon after all of our morning fun.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A SONG IN MY HEART
Recently a friend posted on her blog about her heart being full of song. She qoted lines of hymns that parallels her life and teaches her and gives her hope and peace.
Today I had a similar experience when emailing another friend about the current state of the world. She has gone through many difficult challenges in her life this last year. She mentioned how she is finding peace in her life through faith, scripture study & prayer. She is valiant & true to her beliefs and is a shining example of being "steadfast, immovable and abounding in good works" as she is a single mother raising her children to love and follow the Savior.
While replying to her my mind was flooded with hymns:
"Do what is right, let the consequence follow, battle for freedom in spirit and might, and with stout heart look ye forth to tomorrow, God will protect you in doing what's right."
Another song that came to mind was one I could only remember the last line of until my girls filled in my empty brain by singing one of their favorite primary songs:
"Keep the commandments, keep the commandments, in this there is safety, in this there is peace. He will send blessings, He will send blessings, words of the prophet, keep the commandments. In this there is safety and peace."
There are tons of other hymns and primary songs that teach us that we can receive great blessings, peace, hope, and safety when we choose to diligently serve and live the teachings of the gospel and follow the Savior. These thoughts were in my mind today as I attended our Stake Regional Conference. We were blessed to receive counsel from SLC and our wonderrful church leaders again after just having had general conference just 2 weeks ago.
As in general conference, there has been a running theme through our meetings in the last 2 days. One of the speakers noted today that he also noticed that 2 themes were spoken of multiple times by church leaders during general conference. These are:
1) Unity - in our marriage, homes, families, communities
2) "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"-commenting often on the current condition of the world and what we need to be doing to prepare for coming turbulence in the world.
Again in the last 2 days we have been given similar direction by general and local church leaders.
Again the main feeling that I have walked away with is that church leaders know what is coming, the prophet and our stake president love us enough to teach us, are commanded to teach us, the things we must do to prepare for the changes coming in these last days. I am amazed that though we are taught with patience, kindness and love, that there is an urgency to the messages we have been given. At times I think it may even be too late for us to just be starting to think about these things, if we havent been doing them already it is going to be so much more challenging. These are the things that I really loved from conference today and know that we can work even harder at trying to improve every day:
1) We can become better parents when we
a) teach with love
b) teach by positive example
c) teach with humility and by doing so we will learn wisdom to be able to teach more wisely
2) We were strongly admonished,advised and counciled that as we use our right to vote that we be careful and wary and know what individuals believe about
a) the sanctity of life
b) the family is sacred
knowing what candidates believe about these 2 things would show forth what they will choose to do about other standards and values in the future.
3) When we listen to conference and other talks given by leaders and ward members:
a) We need to recognize who we are and what we represent as members of the church
b) Our individual desires to be taught will determine the influence the spirit will be to use to give us guidance and direction
c) We need to keep a prayer in our hearts to know God's plan and will for us in this life
d) We need to be teachable as we learn from general and local leaders and each other.
e) As we learn and are directed by the spirit we need to be ready and determined to apply the direction and personal revelation to ourselves and our families. We need to be ready to heed the things we are given.
4) One speaker specifically focused his talk toward the youth of the church and these are some of the things that he shared -
a) Remember you are not alone - friends, family, church leaders are always there for you
b) Stand in holy places, stand in places of strength and refuge. Put yourself in places where you know you will be safe and secure in the gospel.
c) Learn to control your thoughts - memorize scriptures, hymns, conference talks, good literature for those times that you may be exposed to or bombarded by things of the world. These things will help you to "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly"
d) Learn to do hard things - fill your extra time with things that will keep you challenged, learning, growing. Find things that will stretch your comfort zones and develop new gifts and talents.
By doing these things you will become who you strive to be.
5) We can Strengthen Home and Family when we:
a) focus time and energy on eternal goals
b) set personal and family goals to focus on things you cherish (marriage & family)
c) take time to re-evaluate where you are and where improvement can be made
d) Strive to continue basic gospel principles (tithing, scripture study, prayer, FHE, attend temple)
e) you are not alone, use and access positive helps and resources (he specifically mentioned the amazing resources on the church website)
f) Be not ashamed. When the world will point fingers and mock and persecute, do not be afraid to be steadfast and faithful to the gospel and its truth and light
These are just some of my personal observations. There were so many wonderful things taught in the last 2 days. There will be much to ponder and pray about. There will be much improvement to be made to keep working towards the ideal goals that will allow us to reach our "desired destination safely"
I would love to hear comments of those who also attended conference - or their own stake conference and regional conference here in OR too. Will look forward to sharing more soon!
Today I had a similar experience when emailing another friend about the current state of the world. She has gone through many difficult challenges in her life this last year. She mentioned how she is finding peace in her life through faith, scripture study & prayer. She is valiant & true to her beliefs and is a shining example of being "steadfast, immovable and abounding in good works" as she is a single mother raising her children to love and follow the Savior.
While replying to her my mind was flooded with hymns:
"Do what is right, let the consequence follow, battle for freedom in spirit and might, and with stout heart look ye forth to tomorrow, God will protect you in doing what's right."
Another song that came to mind was one I could only remember the last line of until my girls filled in my empty brain by singing one of their favorite primary songs:
"Keep the commandments, keep the commandments, in this there is safety, in this there is peace. He will send blessings, He will send blessings, words of the prophet, keep the commandments. In this there is safety and peace."
There are tons of other hymns and primary songs that teach us that we can receive great blessings, peace, hope, and safety when we choose to diligently serve and live the teachings of the gospel and follow the Savior. These thoughts were in my mind today as I attended our Stake Regional Conference. We were blessed to receive counsel from SLC and our wonderrful church leaders again after just having had general conference just 2 weeks ago.
As in general conference, there has been a running theme through our meetings in the last 2 days. One of the speakers noted today that he also noticed that 2 themes were spoken of multiple times by church leaders during general conference. These are:
1) Unity - in our marriage, homes, families, communities
2) "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear"-commenting often on the current condition of the world and what we need to be doing to prepare for coming turbulence in the world.
Again in the last 2 days we have been given similar direction by general and local church leaders.
Again the main feeling that I have walked away with is that church leaders know what is coming, the prophet and our stake president love us enough to teach us, are commanded to teach us, the things we must do to prepare for the changes coming in these last days. I am amazed that though we are taught with patience, kindness and love, that there is an urgency to the messages we have been given. At times I think it may even be too late for us to just be starting to think about these things, if we havent been doing them already it is going to be so much more challenging. These are the things that I really loved from conference today and know that we can work even harder at trying to improve every day:
1) We can become better parents when we
a) teach with love
b) teach by positive example
c) teach with humility and by doing so we will learn wisdom to be able to teach more wisely
2) We were strongly admonished,advised and counciled that as we use our right to vote that we be careful and wary and know what individuals believe about
a) the sanctity of life
b) the family is sacred
knowing what candidates believe about these 2 things would show forth what they will choose to do about other standards and values in the future.
3) When we listen to conference and other talks given by leaders and ward members:
a) We need to recognize who we are and what we represent as members of the church
b) Our individual desires to be taught will determine the influence the spirit will be to use to give us guidance and direction
c) We need to keep a prayer in our hearts to know God's plan and will for us in this life
d) We need to be teachable as we learn from general and local leaders and each other.
e) As we learn and are directed by the spirit we need to be ready and determined to apply the direction and personal revelation to ourselves and our families. We need to be ready to heed the things we are given.
4) One speaker specifically focused his talk toward the youth of the church and these are some of the things that he shared -
a) Remember you are not alone - friends, family, church leaders are always there for you
b) Stand in holy places, stand in places of strength and refuge. Put yourself in places where you know you will be safe and secure in the gospel.
c) Learn to control your thoughts - memorize scriptures, hymns, conference talks, good literature for those times that you may be exposed to or bombarded by things of the world. These things will help you to "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly"
d) Learn to do hard things - fill your extra time with things that will keep you challenged, learning, growing. Find things that will stretch your comfort zones and develop new gifts and talents.
By doing these things you will become who you strive to be.
5) We can Strengthen Home and Family when we:
a) focus time and energy on eternal goals
b) set personal and family goals to focus on things you cherish (marriage & family)
c) take time to re-evaluate where you are and where improvement can be made
d) Strive to continue basic gospel principles (tithing, scripture study, prayer, FHE, attend temple)
e) you are not alone, use and access positive helps and resources (he specifically mentioned the amazing resources on the church website)
f) Be not ashamed. When the world will point fingers and mock and persecute, do not be afraid to be steadfast and faithful to the gospel and its truth and light
These are just some of my personal observations. There were so many wonderful things taught in the last 2 days. There will be much to ponder and pray about. There will be much improvement to be made to keep working towards the ideal goals that will allow us to reach our "desired destination safely"
I would love to hear comments of those who also attended conference - or their own stake conference and regional conference here in OR too. Will look forward to sharing more soon!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A NEW ADVENTURE
We just wanted to let you all know that I (rory) am starting on a new, grand adventure! I have officially started my own photography blog! It will be where I will be posting all my photo shoots and personal masterpieces!
I will also be starting a "business" end of things and will be offering photo prints, cards and maybe even photo books! For now things are a work in progress - but watch for more to come soon!
You will find a link to my new blog on the side bar - photomomentsbyrory - I will also be sending out an email to everyone soon!
Hope you will visit my photo blog often - I will try hard to keep it updated at least 1x/week - and hopefully more! I also would LOVE to get your ideas, suggestions, and comments - outside feedback is always great!
Watch for more to come soon!
I will also be starting a "business" end of things and will be offering photo prints, cards and maybe even photo books! For now things are a work in progress - but watch for more to come soon!
You will find a link to my new blog on the side bar - photomomentsbyrory - I will also be sending out an email to everyone soon!
Hope you will visit my photo blog often - I will try hard to keep it updated at least 1x/week - and hopefully more! I also would LOVE to get your ideas, suggestions, and comments - outside feedback is always great!
Watch for more to come soon!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE...
I am wondering if I can get feedback from all of you out there....
I have our family blog currently set up as an "invite only" - but have had a couple family members ask if I could make our blog public.
I guess my main thought to keep it private is to keep my kiddos safe and that those who I invite are the only ones who really are interested in our family's comings and goings anyway.
The thought to making it public is for anyone to see it -and for other family members wherever they are to be able to look at it and share things if they would like to.
I would love to hear what you think and if there have been good vs bad for those of you who have a public blog? LMK -k-
I have our family blog currently set up as an "invite only" - but have had a couple family members ask if I could make our blog public.
I guess my main thought to keep it private is to keep my kiddos safe and that those who I invite are the only ones who really are interested in our family's comings and goings anyway.
The thought to making it public is for anyone to see it -and for other family members wherever they are to be able to look at it and share things if they would like to.
I would love to hear what you think and if there have been good vs bad for those of you who have a public blog? LMK -k-
1ST Official Shoot
Today I did my first official, for hire, photo shoot! I was so nervous I thought I was going to be sick. I wonder if I will ever stop being nervous to take picts of people?
Kimber was really great and she was so patient as we tried lots of different things and as we waited for the light to behave.
These are a few of my favorite picts from the shoot. I am sad and a bit afraid though, that I didnt do a good enough job. I feel like I didnt capture everything I was hoping to and lighting was a real challenge for me today too.
I would love to get feedback from all you photographers out there and just anyone who wants to leave a comment.
I am hoping there will at least be a few that Kimber and her mom will like after Kimber was so patient and kind to let me take her picts.
Thanx so much Kimber for being so patient! You were great to work with and I DO think your eyes are gorgeous and I love your fun smile! You did a great job! Thanx so much for giving me the chance to practice, it was tons of fun!
We found a couple of great trees over at the university to play with. Kimber literally played in the trees as I got some great shots. It was fun to see her having fun!
I just had to include this pict - Kimber did this by her mom's request and was so patient - but it was hard for her too - this pict shows the fun side of "are you going to take ANOTHER pict of me?" - the smile I got after this was great too - it was great that Kimber had fun playing around and finding things to laugh at.
Kimber was really great and she was so patient as we tried lots of different things and as we waited for the light to behave.
These are a few of my favorite picts from the shoot. I am sad and a bit afraid though, that I didnt do a good enough job. I feel like I didnt capture everything I was hoping to and lighting was a real challenge for me today too.
I would love to get feedback from all you photographers out there and just anyone who wants to leave a comment.
I am hoping there will at least be a few that Kimber and her mom will like after Kimber was so patient and kind to let me take her picts.
Thanx so much Kimber for being so patient! You were great to work with and I DO think your eyes are gorgeous and I love your fun smile! You did a great job! Thanx so much for giving me the chance to practice, it was tons of fun!
We found a couple of great trees over at the university to play with. Kimber literally played in the trees as I got some great shots. It was fun to see her having fun!
I just had to include this pict - Kimber did this by her mom's request and was so patient - but it was hard for her too - this pict shows the fun side of "are you going to take ANOTHER pict of me?" - the smile I got after this was great too - it was great that Kimber had fun playing around and finding things to laugh at.
I loved the cute shoes that Kimber was wearing and just had to play with a blur effect to get fun picts of her shoes
Kimber LOVES to read!I told her to just read while I took picts - she happened to get to a part that made her laugh and I caught this cute smile!
I LOVE this wall that is on a side of a building here in town. Thankfully the lighting finally cooperated enough for us to get picts next to it!
Kimber LOVES to read!I told her to just read while I took picts - she happened to get to a part that made her laugh and I caught this cute smile!
I LOVE this wall that is on a side of a building here in town. Thankfully the lighting finally cooperated enough for us to get picts next to it!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
KELSIANNE IS 5 MONTHS OLD!
My dear friend Kymberly made this gorgeous dress for Kels for her blessing. Knowing Kels was going to be older when she was blessed we picked a dress pattern that she could wear for a long time. Thankfully it still fits! She looked so extra cute today that I just had to try to get some more picts. It is amazing what a couple of months of growing can do for a little person. These picts are so different from her blessing day - she has grown and changed so much - and she is doing so much more now!
It was fun to get her to giggle and smile for the picts. You will probably notice one theme running through her picts - that little bit of dribble! It is her signature lately. I had a gal in the ward help me with her today and Kels spit up on her BLACK skirt. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she frowned a bit and tried to scrub it out with a wipe I had given her. I felt SO horrible - Kels is just a spitter and even though the sister said it was no big deal, I could tell that it was (she has been out of baby mode for a VERY long time)I may have to put a sign on Kels or make her a T-shirt for her to wear that says "Hold me at your own risk - I SPIT!"
I may just need to make sure I can hold her all the time - she was being held by someone else today because Ky refused nursery again and after they brought him to me he fell asleep on my lap - Preston needed to work on stuff for bishop, I just couldnt hold both of them...may have to figure something else out soon though...
Anyway - I loved how some of these turned out. I have been trying new things with the camera and trying different angles and stuff. It is fun the kids are such good sports to put up with me taking zillions of picts all the time - it gives me lots of practice!
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It was fun to get her to giggle and smile for the picts. You will probably notice one theme running through her picts - that little bit of dribble! It is her signature lately. I had a gal in the ward help me with her today and Kels spit up on her BLACK skirt. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she frowned a bit and tried to scrub it out with a wipe I had given her. I felt SO horrible - Kels is just a spitter and even though the sister said it was no big deal, I could tell that it was (she has been out of baby mode for a VERY long time)I may have to put a sign on Kels or make her a T-shirt for her to wear that says "Hold me at your own risk - I SPIT!"
I may just need to make sure I can hold her all the time - she was being held by someone else today because Ky refused nursery again and after they brought him to me he fell asleep on my lap - Preston needed to work on stuff for bishop, I just couldnt hold both of them...may have to figure something else out soon though...
Anyway - I loved how some of these turned out. I have been trying new things with the camera and trying different angles and stuff. It is fun the kids are such good sports to put up with me taking zillions of picts all the time - it gives me lots of practice!
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FALL PHOTO SHOOT
Our colors here have been absolutely amazing, but they are also fading fast. I took my camera with me today to get colors of leaves and trees and stuff and ended up doing a spur of the moment thing with the kids. It actually was really fun. I tried some new angles and some playing with apetures and stuff. Some turned out good, others not so good - I am still learning. These are some of my favorites from today. I think the kids really enjoyed their time together and playing in all the leaves. It was a fun "make a memory" day.
IMA TOTAL ODD & UNUSUAL SLACKER
Ok, so we all know that when life gets totally nuts I usually become an even bigger slacker than normal....
I was looking at my friend Julie's blog and saw that she had been "tagged" - it is a fun game that she does where if you are "it" you have to share 7 unusual & odd things about yourself. Here is the cute info card she includes on her blog:
I was looking at my friend Julie's blog and saw that she had been "tagged" - it is a fun game that she does where if you are "it" you have to share 7 unusual & odd things about yourself. Here is the cute info card she includes on her blog:
Last month she tagged me, and with our bezerk schedule and getting ready to go to SLC, I completely forgot. Her tag posts are always so creative and she even includes pictures. I am not nearly as fabulous at this stuff as she is, and I havent figured out how to add other stuff besides my own picts - so here is my list of unusual and odd things without all the frills - Jules, hope this is ok - thanx for tagging me and letting me know you are thinking about me! I added a bonus odd thing just to make up for being such a slacker from last month!
1) I have 2 unusual scars - one on my right wrist and the other under my chin. I gained both of these lovely beauty marks when I was young. When I was growing up I was raised in my great-grandmother's house. She had an old wooden paper box nailed outside the front door - just above that was a metal rectangular mail box. I would climb onto the paper box to retrieve the mail. One day the box nails came loose - my chin hit the metal mailbox and gashed open while I caught my wrist on one of the protruding nails on my way to the ground. Not a lovely sight at the time but it makes for a good story now.
2) I hate riding bikes. I didnt get my first bike until I was 10-12 years old. The first time I rode it I almost killed myself and did in the bike. It was a hate-hate relationship from then on. I have never been one for learning balance - for me keeping both feet on the ground can give me grief - putting my posterior on a scrawny, rock hard seat while trying to pedal, steer and pay attention and then try to stop before I crash into something is not my idea of a good time. I will keep my feet on the ground or in the water where they belong.
3) I have a "stress finger". Whenever I get really over anxious or stressed I get tiny little blisters on my right ring finger. Those itch like there is no tomorrow and I usually scratch it so bad my finger is just mangled. It is only that finger - which really is the odd thing
4) I am ALWAYS cold. I usually wear lots of layers of clothes day & night. I keep the heaters blazing in the house all day just to get comfortable (only to have everyone come home and turn on the A/C because they think it is sweltering)
5) I will only eat Twinkies if they are frozen. Most of you probably are thinking "twinkies, gross!" It is the one childhood treat that I still love - I have outgrown just about all the treats I loved as a kid. But I will only eat them if they are frozen. That is just weird.
6) I sneeze like the Big Bad Wolf. I also sneeze at least 10 times in a row. I have a friend that has these cute little petite sneezes. When I sneeze it is huge and loud, and I cant stop them once they start. It can be funny and embarrassing. I usually end up going through a whole box of kleenex and the funny thing is that I usually react to the lint in the tissues which keeps me sneezing instead of helping the sneezes to stop.
7) I dont like getting my face wet. You know when you learn to swim that you learn to put your face under the water - nope, not me. I was thrown into a pool when I was young and put through a crash course to learn how to swim. Although I do love swimming, I dont ever put my face under the water. I dont even let the water get on my face in the shower!
8) I love white noise. For those of you who are not familiar with this term - it is the term given to all those background noises in our lives - rain on the window, the sound of ocean waves hitting the shoreline, fire crackling in the fireplace, the waterfall in the fishtank, the dryer, the vacuum cleaner, the floor or ceiling fan. I have been a pretty stressed person most of my life - some people would say that I still am - I also dont sleep, or sleep very little. White noise has really become my friend and I find it to be very soothing to block out all the other noise in my life (screaming 2 year old, screaming 5 year old, car music CD played for the 10 millionth time, etc) It is nice to know I can just turn on one of these and at least find some peace and relaxation even for a little bit. It has helped me a ton to just be able to keep on keeping on some days. One of those things most people never notice probably and it is something that has really become a huge help to me and something I notice everywhere I go now.
These are the things I can think of for now. Hope you have had fun learning something new about me. I would love to learn something new about you guys too! Feel free to participate or not, I know everyone's life is as crazy as mine is these days! So for this go around I am going to tag:
denise, kymberly, amanda, kenna, dawn, preston, jaclyn
Saturday, October 18, 2008
PRECIOUS LITTLE ONES
I have had a few recent experiences that have been on my mind. This post is really for me to journal so my brain doesnt forget - but feel free to keep reading.
Ky and I have started a new tradition - eating pancakes together just about every morning. Sounds ordinary - but with him nothing is ordinary. We take the boys to school and usually put Kels down for her AM nap when we get back home. I have been keeping homemade pancakes in the freezer because it seems to be a food my kids love no matter the time of day or night.
I get 2 out and put them in the microwave. When they are done I put butter and syrup on them and cut them into bite size pieces. Still sounds pretty normal huh? But this is where the unusual comes in. Ky and I then proceed into the library with milk and pancakes and we sit on the floor in the library in front of the fishtank. Ky sits on my lap and we share bites of pancake. He usually ends up eating most of the bites and is kind enough to let me have a couple :) We sit and laugh and talk and eat. It is precious time with him.
Yesterday I found out how precious this time is to him too. Yesterday we ran errands and stopped at the girls' school. When I was talking with a staff member she mentioned how cute Ky was and that she wished she had a treat for him. I told her it was ok she didnt because Ky & I were going home to make pancakes and that was our treat. Ky got so excited when he heard me say pancakes that he started singing a kind of song about going home to eat pancakes. He would almost shout - pancakes AND milk AND juice! He sang his own little song over and over changing the order of the words: pancakes AND milk AND juice - all the way home. It was pretty funny - esp considering he can partially say pancakes, he can say juice but he can't say milk at all - it usually comes out as a sort of grunt while he signs "milk". I laughed all the way home at how excited he was and at how cute his words are blending together to make sentences.
When we got home there was 1 package of pancakes left in the freezer. He impatiently waited while I got them ready and the minute they were done he grabbed his sippy cup of milk AND his sippy cup of juice in one arm and grabbed my pinky finger with the other hand and led me to the libary. I was surprised he didnt plop down in front of the fishtank like we usually do - but had me go over to our big overstuffed green rocking chair. I sat down and he climbed right up next to me. We sat and ate panckaes and when we were done he was off to his own adventures.
It really has become special time to both of us. Just quiet, one-on-one time. Truly precious moments.
Today has been a rough day with kiddos, everyone is feeling cooped up and everyone seems overtired and cranky - even Kels which is pretty rare. Even in all the mayhem today I found quiet time just with Kels. Part of taking that time has been trying to dispel the horrible images still in my head from a nightmare about her last night.
Kels has been extra fussy today - prob from not getting to bed on time last night and not sleeping so good either. While I was trying to console her I had her on my lap and just started singing silly songs like "row your boat, the wheels on the bus, and the itsy bitsy spider." It was fun to see her big smiles and even hear her giggle. The girls have noticed that when Kels is extra happy her mouth just hangs open - allowing that much more spit and slobber to escape - which seemed to make her giggle more at my reactions to getting slobbered on today. The other thing that seems to make her giggle is the fact that she can purposefully reach out and take hold of things now - including my hair, no matter how hard I try to keep it out of her reach. Today she thought it was extra funny to hear me say "ouch" as she grabbed fistfulls of my hair and I had to have Kaeli help me get her fingers untangled.
Today I took extra opportunities to just hold her close and play with her and sing to her.
It seems that every day she is bigger or that she has changed somehow. I just cannot believe that she is 5 months old already. The time flies away at an alarming rate these days. I wish I could make it stop - just hold onto these precious moments - and yet I know that as she grows and learns to do more those are the most precious moments too. I love each stage that each of the kids has gone through - and at the same time I am sad to see each stage pass. Moments like today with Kels are so precious. And yet these moments will just be in my memory and hopefully in my journal as I am writing more - kudos to keeping a blog! They are moments I wish I could capture with the camera to be able to look at for always. Moments that are so few.
Even on days like today when Ky has not stopped screaming all afternoon because he didnt get a nap and colton keeps bugging him, when the girls are scowling and grumping at me because I have been a tyrant about them not getting anything (homework or house jobs) done and it is now dinner time, when the boys' room looks like it has thrown up on itself and you cant see the floor for all the clothes and junk on it, when Caiden has twiddled away the whole day and hasnt helped with anything but cause trouble, when Kels has fussed more than she has been happy today, when I have not accomplished a single thing and the house looks worse now than when Preston left this afternoon - when all these things compile to drive me to insanity and tears, I can still look back and remember the precious moments with each of the kids. I can try to remember that those small moments of play or sharing pancakes are the most importants things I can do. I can try to find the good I am doing with and for the kids in teaching them responsibility and discipline. I can try to remember to keep my cool and use a soft voice when I want to scream as loud as the boys. I can try to remember that tomorrow will probably go better than today - hopefully. I can try to remember that I can try to do better tomorrow. I can marvel that the miracle of "forgive and forget" from my children is truly amazing and I can relish in the love and hugs that will come freely from them, and that it will come without residual hurt or anger from todays mishaps.
Every day with my kiddos is precious - whether we struggle or accomplish great things - I know it is all I have and I need to take note of every moment with them before they pass me by.
Ky and I have started a new tradition - eating pancakes together just about every morning. Sounds ordinary - but with him nothing is ordinary. We take the boys to school and usually put Kels down for her AM nap when we get back home. I have been keeping homemade pancakes in the freezer because it seems to be a food my kids love no matter the time of day or night.
I get 2 out and put them in the microwave. When they are done I put butter and syrup on them and cut them into bite size pieces. Still sounds pretty normal huh? But this is where the unusual comes in. Ky and I then proceed into the library with milk and pancakes and we sit on the floor in the library in front of the fishtank. Ky sits on my lap and we share bites of pancake. He usually ends up eating most of the bites and is kind enough to let me have a couple :) We sit and laugh and talk and eat. It is precious time with him.
Yesterday I found out how precious this time is to him too. Yesterday we ran errands and stopped at the girls' school. When I was talking with a staff member she mentioned how cute Ky was and that she wished she had a treat for him. I told her it was ok she didnt because Ky & I were going home to make pancakes and that was our treat. Ky got so excited when he heard me say pancakes that he started singing a kind of song about going home to eat pancakes. He would almost shout - pancakes AND milk AND juice! He sang his own little song over and over changing the order of the words: pancakes AND milk AND juice - all the way home. It was pretty funny - esp considering he can partially say pancakes, he can say juice but he can't say milk at all - it usually comes out as a sort of grunt while he signs "milk". I laughed all the way home at how excited he was and at how cute his words are blending together to make sentences.
When we got home there was 1 package of pancakes left in the freezer. He impatiently waited while I got them ready and the minute they were done he grabbed his sippy cup of milk AND his sippy cup of juice in one arm and grabbed my pinky finger with the other hand and led me to the libary. I was surprised he didnt plop down in front of the fishtank like we usually do - but had me go over to our big overstuffed green rocking chair. I sat down and he climbed right up next to me. We sat and ate panckaes and when we were done he was off to his own adventures.
It really has become special time to both of us. Just quiet, one-on-one time. Truly precious moments.
Today has been a rough day with kiddos, everyone is feeling cooped up and everyone seems overtired and cranky - even Kels which is pretty rare. Even in all the mayhem today I found quiet time just with Kels. Part of taking that time has been trying to dispel the horrible images still in my head from a nightmare about her last night.
Kels has been extra fussy today - prob from not getting to bed on time last night and not sleeping so good either. While I was trying to console her I had her on my lap and just started singing silly songs like "row your boat, the wheels on the bus, and the itsy bitsy spider." It was fun to see her big smiles and even hear her giggle. The girls have noticed that when Kels is extra happy her mouth just hangs open - allowing that much more spit and slobber to escape - which seemed to make her giggle more at my reactions to getting slobbered on today. The other thing that seems to make her giggle is the fact that she can purposefully reach out and take hold of things now - including my hair, no matter how hard I try to keep it out of her reach. Today she thought it was extra funny to hear me say "ouch" as she grabbed fistfulls of my hair and I had to have Kaeli help me get her fingers untangled.
Today I took extra opportunities to just hold her close and play with her and sing to her.
It seems that every day she is bigger or that she has changed somehow. I just cannot believe that she is 5 months old already. The time flies away at an alarming rate these days. I wish I could make it stop - just hold onto these precious moments - and yet I know that as she grows and learns to do more those are the most precious moments too. I love each stage that each of the kids has gone through - and at the same time I am sad to see each stage pass. Moments like today with Kels are so precious. And yet these moments will just be in my memory and hopefully in my journal as I am writing more - kudos to keeping a blog! They are moments I wish I could capture with the camera to be able to look at for always. Moments that are so few.
Even on days like today when Ky has not stopped screaming all afternoon because he didnt get a nap and colton keeps bugging him, when the girls are scowling and grumping at me because I have been a tyrant about them not getting anything (homework or house jobs) done and it is now dinner time, when the boys' room looks like it has thrown up on itself and you cant see the floor for all the clothes and junk on it, when Caiden has twiddled away the whole day and hasnt helped with anything but cause trouble, when Kels has fussed more than she has been happy today, when I have not accomplished a single thing and the house looks worse now than when Preston left this afternoon - when all these things compile to drive me to insanity and tears, I can still look back and remember the precious moments with each of the kids. I can try to remember that those small moments of play or sharing pancakes are the most importants things I can do. I can try to find the good I am doing with and for the kids in teaching them responsibility and discipline. I can try to remember to keep my cool and use a soft voice when I want to scream as loud as the boys. I can try to remember that tomorrow will probably go better than today - hopefully. I can try to remember that I can try to do better tomorrow. I can marvel that the miracle of "forgive and forget" from my children is truly amazing and I can relish in the love and hugs that will come freely from them, and that it will come without residual hurt or anger from todays mishaps.
Every day with my kiddos is precious - whether we struggle or accomplish great things - I know it is all I have and I need to take note of every moment with them before they pass me by.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
HOORAY FOR CEANA!
Ceana's big day has finally arrived - no more braces! We were so surprised at the great surprise Dr Sheets and his staff had prepared for Ceana! They had a big sign in the entry to say "congrats" and after she got them off she was presented with a bottle of sparkling cider with a special label signed by Dr Sheets and all of his staff and a baggie of micro popcorn and chewy candies. She also got 2 balloons that said "I got my braces off!".
I was surprised that her appt last more than an hour. There was quite a bit of work involved to get her teeth sparkling, including sanding off all the extra cemenet on her teeth. Ceana's comment was "it was bloody, but it was worth it!" (when Dr Sheets sanded her teeth it caused her gums to bleed pretty badly - I couldnt stay and even take picts - eeewww)
Ceana was presented with a lovely retainer set today. She has picked out a clear,sparkly plastic and she even has an OSU beaver insignia on the roof of her retainer. The top piece fits in the roof of her mouth and over her teeth, the bottom piece fits just over her teeth.
She is struggling a bit with talking again with her retainer in. She cant pronounce "s" sounds and other sounds are tricky too. It is only for awhile though - she will be used to it soon and it will becmee "old hat"
She has dne a great job with her braces on and off. She is great kiddo!
I was surprised that her appt last more than an hour. There was quite a bit of work involved to get her teeth sparkling, including sanding off all the extra cemenet on her teeth. Ceana's comment was "it was bloody, but it was worth it!" (when Dr Sheets sanded her teeth it caused her gums to bleed pretty badly - I couldnt stay and even take picts - eeewww)
Ceana was presented with a lovely retainer set today. She has picked out a clear,sparkly plastic and she even has an OSU beaver insignia on the roof of her retainer. The top piece fits in the roof of her mouth and over her teeth, the bottom piece fits just over her teeth.
She is struggling a bit with talking again with her retainer in. She cant pronounce "s" sounds and other sounds are tricky too. It is only for awhile though - she will be used to it soon and it will becmee "old hat"
She has dne a great job with her braces on and off. She is great kiddo!
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